Chapter 664:
Pearce sneered. “Spare me! You acted out of self-righteousness. Even if she was fragile and faced many dangers, that doesn’t justify imprisoning her. You did it to satisfy your twisted desires.”
Jayden’s knuckles shone white as his grip tightened on the chair arms. Fury simmered beneath the surface, threatening to erupt. He crumpled the divorce agreement and flung it at Pearce’s feet. “Divorce? Absolutely not. Elyse will never leave me,” he spat, his voice laced with venom.
Pearce, his gaze steady, saw the unhinged glint in Jayden’s eyes. “Do you understand the consequences? Antagonizing the entire Benson family could be a costly mistake.”
Jayden scoffed, disdain dripping from his sneer. “What if I say I don’t care? Elyse belongs to me. Nothing can change that.”
His chilling arrogance weighed heavily on Pearce. Jayden was clearly delusional. Pearce scowled, his eyes dropping to the discarded agreement. The weight of getting Jayden’s signature suddenly felt crushing. Jayden dismissed Pearce’s presence entirely.
Pearce, desperate to reclaim Elyse, was almost manic in his determination. “Get out! Or I’ll have security escort you out.”
The threat hung heavy in the air. Forcing Jayden wouldn’t work; he wouldn’t budge. Glancing secretly at his watch, Pearce reckoned Elyse should be departing from Watscar. Relief flooded through him. A sly smile played on his lips. “Mr. Owen, a word of advice: If you’re mentally ill, get professional help immediately. Procrastinating on treatment could lead to lasting repercussions.”
Jayden raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t that fulfill your little wish?”
“Indeed,” Pearce replied, opting not to prolong the argument. He turned and headed for the door.
Three minutes after Pearce’s departure, Jayden received a panicked call from his bodyguard. Elyse had vanished. A hospital lockdown failed to produce any sign of her. Someone had aided her escape.
The news sent a jolt of rage through Jayden. But then, a chilling laugh escaped his lips. “So eager to be rid of me, Elyse?” His voice dropped to a low murmur, laced with a profound loneliness that sent a pang through him.
With a barked order, Jayden mobilized his entire security force, unleashing a city-wide manhunt for Elyse.
Pearce, anticipating this reaction, had chosen a remote, winding road out of Watscar.
Elyse gazed out the car window, taking in the vast expanse of sky. The fresh air filled her lungs, yet a strange emptiness gnawed at her. Despite finally attaining the freedom she had once so fervently desired, she now couldn’t help but miss him. The weight of a harsh truth settled upon her: She loved Jayden, more than she ever dared to admit, even to herself.
A wave of pain washed over her as she clutched her chest, eyes squeezed shut against the sting of tears. “Why would I miss him?” The wind whipped past, carrying away her whispered sigh, a testament to the depth of her unspoken love.